The best restaurants in Victoria and Pimlico

For a long time, Victoria was one of London's gastronomically-challenged areas. However, years of re-development have transformed it. So if you work nearby, are commuting through or even if you're visiting one of the theatres, there's now plenty of great places to eat.

This Michelin starred Chinese restaurant is the flagship for Andrew Wong (who is also behind Kym's in the City). In a pared-back room, the menu travels the broad spectrum of Chinese cooking and has a lunchtime dim sum menu that's absolutely worth crossing town for.

Aster comes from D&D restaurants, who also run the German Gymnasium in King's Cross, Sartoria in Mayfair and Launceston Place in South Kensington (among many other restaurants). Part of the big Nova complex, this is a two-level restaurant with a cafe downstairs and a more traditional restaurant upstairs. Originally Nordic, it's now a European grand cafe.

Bleecker are in the upper echelons of what's already a pretty damned good burger scene in London. Originally starting out on the street-food market, they've slowly become established across town. The cheeseburgers are great but if the Blecker Black is on offer - with extra black pudding - that should be your go-to burger.

This Italian restaurant takes its name from one of the most popular Italian pasta dishes - and yes, they can do a mean cacio e pepe (served in a Parmesan basket). Expect homemade pasta, antipasti and wines (it acts as a wine bar too).

Cambridge Street Cafe, took over as the main restaurant at the Artist's Residence in Pimlico. There's an ever-changing seasonal menu with British influences and a downstairs cocktail bat called Clarendon Cocktail Cellar.

Ansel is best known as the inventor of the cronut - which caused huge queues at the original New York location. This is his first London bakery and yes, there are plenty of cronuts on offer. But there's much more besides, serving up some of the most unique cakes, pastries and sweets in town.

Jason Atherton's restaurant is in the Nova development in Victoria, and this time it's an Italian - something he's been wanting to open for a while. Expect a mix of pasta dishes, pizzas from the huge open oven and more besides. There's takeaway and also a separate bar upstairs. And keep an eye our for the special pizzas he runs in collaboration with London's top chefs.

This is the sister restaurant to the Jones Family Project in Shoreditch. There's an emphasis on grilled meat and fish and they pride themselves on the provenance of their food - with steaks from Ginger Pig and they use Flying Fish to bring in day boat fish from Cornwall.

A Belgravia/Victoria mainstay, this French restaurant has been running for over 50 years. It's very much an old-school style French bistro, often referred to as one of the most romantic restaurants in town. Classic dishes and Frech wine are the order of the day.

With an ex-sommelier from River Cafe and a chef from Brawn, visitors to Lorne should expect a particularly good wine list and a Modern British seasonal menu to match with it. It's deservedly rated as one of the best restaurants in Victoria.

Market Hall is on a mission to change the image of food courts in London. They're gathering some top names - many who have never done anything outside their main restaurants - all under one roof. It's a good way to see the real breadth of food in London all in one place. Just order your food, grab a pew and they'll buzz when it's ready. And repeat. And repeat.

With London being the strongest it's ever been for high-end Indian restaurants, the Quilon has been one of the longest serving in the city - and it's kept its Michelin star too. It's also the sister restaurant of Bombay Brasserie. Expect south west coastal Indian cuisine with a high-end feel.

Nathan Outlaw has opened a new restaurant at The Goring in Belgravia - a more casual seafood-led affair that's the hotel's first new restaurant in over 100 years. Looking out over the garden, it's a lovely spot, particularly at lunchtime.

The Goring has been a London institution for over 100 years. It's around the corner from Buckingham Palace and the Queen has been known to pop in from time to time, so if you're lucky you might see a royal or two. Here you'll find high-end Michelin-starred dining. Don't miss out on the eggs drumkilbo - they were a fave of the Queen Mother.

The Naughty Piglet group started out in Brixton where they caught the eye of none other than Andrew Lloyd-Webber. He brought them to The Other Place Theatre for their second restaurant. It's all about sharing plates and there's a big focus on their strong natural wine list too.

The 80 seat restaurant focuses on cicchetti and dishes include Buffalo Ricotta Ravioli with Black Truffle, Gnocchi with Duck Ragù and Baccala “Mantecato” with Polenta Bramata. There are cocktails, prosecco on tap and plenty of sharing tables around an open kitchen.